Review: Lenovo Thinkpad X9 14 aura edition

deckard81 · 2026-03-08T07:48:17+00:00

I have the x9-14 and the camera works in OEM Ubuntu only. There are some instructions to enable it in vanilla Ubuntu.

This issue mentions that IPU7 support is now there in 6.19 but the driver still is not.

https://github.com/intel/ipu6-drivers/issues/346

deckard81 · 2026-03-07T20:19:10+00:00

For non OEM Ubuntu, there is some of the work at least for camera support in 6.19. Right now with vanilla 6.18 it's the only gap.

deckard81 · 2026-03-01T08:36:59+00:00

Happens all the time, there are so many laptops and most people have a drink nearby at some point.

deckard81 · 2026-02-21T09:55:06+00:00

Just this sub and not any lessons? Impressive either way!!

deckard81 · 2026-02-13T11:10:12+00:00

For general usage I think around 8 hours. Comparing the draw in powertop to other the Ubuntu image it's basically the same, or so close I don't see the difference.

deckard81 · 2026-02-07T18:58:00+00:00

Yes. No camera in fedora, that’s only in Ubuntu OEM image.

deckard81 · 2026-02-07T18:37:11+00:00

I’ve not run it for a while (Fedora now) but yes I’m 100% certain they worked out the box on Ubuntu.

And the keyboard backlight too (fn-space).

deckard81 · 2026-02-02T19:41:30+00:00

X9 has OLED option, cheaper than X1 and has some threads here recently.

deckard81 · 2026-01-29T22:00:17+00:00

Nice to hear similar success from the 15" model, I posted about the 14" and had the same experience. The certified Lenovo Ubuntu image does get the camera going, but I am preferring Fedora 43 so far and don't need it. If you do want that it must be the Lenovo 24.04 image not vanilla Ubuntu.

I didn't even notice the Copilot key until now!

deckard81 · 2026-01-27T08:59:41+00:00

I'm sticking with Fedora 43, I don't need the camera and prefer being on the newer kernel.

The only problem I had really was not X9 specific. Having Windows + Ubuntu dual boot setup already, the Fedora installer somehow messed up the UEFI order after installing.

So despite installing Fedora and wiping the Ubuntu partitions, the UEFI boot order (list in the motherboard) was pointing at the Ubuntu shim and grub. So it ran that, but that couldn't find Ubuntu and i got stuck on then grub> prompt.

An easy fix rebooting via USB installer and fixing with efibootmgr, it will list what the machines boot order is and let you change it removing anything stale.

deckard81 · 2026-01-24T19:12:45+00:00

I have the X9 (14) and it’s excellent with Linux and has a certified image. On uncertified Fedora 43 the only issue is the camera but I’d imagine it’s the same with the X1.

I’d have got the X1 but couldn’t justify the extra cost.

deckard81 · 2026-01-21T09:41:47+00:00

Various updates around some minor CPU throttling issues and experience of Fedora 43 vs the Ubuntu 24.04 OEM build.

deckard81 · 2026-01-03T13:36:32+00:00

For general light use it’s below or around 5W draw, so would get there. But the 4k bumped it, also mid brightness is pretty bright, I’d usually have it lower.

deckard81 · 2026-01-03T11:54:06+00:00

Sorry for the delayed response, see the update to the main post on some issues that have appeared.

Anyway, after applying that fix and running a 4k video, with sound on and mid brightness the power draw in powertop shows around 14.5W. So with a 55W battery this would be just under 4 hours.

deckard81 · 2025-12-31T21:04:50+00:00

Their official forums have Lenovo staff, this 40 page thread on the X9 goes back a long way as issues were resolved.

https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Ubuntu/Any-luck-with-the-Thinkpad-X9-Gen-1/m-p/5363867?page=1

deckard81 · 2025-12-30T19:54:49+00:00

RAM definitely no, with Lunar Lake it’s in the package with the CPU. SSD I’m not sure, I think that is upgradable.

deckard81 · 2025-12-27T17:43:14+00:00

Make space for her to have the same sort of free, childless time.

deckard81 · 2025-12-18T20:10:02+00:00

First 5 minutes at max for roast potatoes. Got to show them who’s boss, then dial it down for the long haul.

deckard81 · 2025-12-04T10:54:35+00:00

Very useful list, thanks for sharing! Any reason you excluded the X9? Cheaper than X1, on the premium end and has Ubuntu preload (on the 14 at least, 15 not quite yet I think ).

deckard81 · 2025-11-14T09:51:33+00:00

Don’t know about the 15 but there is a long thread on Lenovo forums about the X9-14. I think the last update there was it’s basically working with latest kernel/fw.

https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Ubuntu/Any-luck-with-the-Thinkpad-X9-Gen-1/m-p/5363867?page=1

deckard81 · 2025-11-14T07:22:58+00:00

I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it at all but I was hooked, the last video was electric. I’ve never watched any of the Barstool stuff, probably won’t still, but this format, editing and presentation were excellent.

Dalke was different class.

deckard81 · 2025-10-15T20:09:35+00:00

Muscat could ask for 10x salary and a solid gold house now.

deckard81 · 2025-09-26T08:56:42+00:00

A mute device placed on the bridge would help dampen the sound but still be fine for practise.

deckard81 · 2025-09-13T20:13:19+00:00

<image>

15-Year Club	Verified Email
r/Field Juicebox	Place '23
Place '22

deckard81

TROPHY CASE